looking for the best tire inflator? Don’t make your decision before reading this guide
It’s raining outside, you have that big appointment with one of your clients. You know that the meeting is a big game changer career-wise. You cannot afford to mess up this chance. You leave your house early enough so that you can get to your office on time and prepare yourself for the best pitch that you have given.
However, the moment that you reach your car, you notice something peculiar. You have a flat tire. You check your truck only to find you don’t have a spare tire. You start cursing the day but you know you need to be in the office early. You call for an uber so that at least you don’t ruin your entire day.
Do all of these sound familiar? Having a flat tire especially on an important day in your life can really suck. However, you no longer have to be a victim of flat tires. The current market is filled with hundreds of tire inflators, which honestly it can be difficult for one to choose especially if you are no automotive expert. It is for that reason our team of experts who have been in the industry for more than a decade has conducted a series of research and testing so as to come up with a list of 10 the best tire inflator in the market.
Best Portable Inflator with Gauge
Astro 3018 Digital Tire Inflator
on Amazon
Having a flat tire can really be a nightmare especially if it is in the middle of the night in the middle of nowhere. However, before you panic, and start calling AAA for assistance, you should properly have this in your car. The Astro 3018 Digital Tire Inflator with Stainless Steel Braided Hose, is one best portable tire inflator with a gauge that you need to have in your car. Out of the many portable tire inflator with gauge the Astro 3018 Digital Tire Inflator with Stainless Steel Braided Hose, comes with a lot of great features and it is extremely reliable.
Pros:
- It comes with two levers, one for inflating the tire and the other for deflating if need be.
- It is affordable
- Its digital meter allows the inflator to be accurate.
- It comes with a 21-inch steel hose which ensures that the device is strong and sturdy.
Cons:
- Battery seems to be difficult to fix
- The hose does not fit well with some car tire inlets
Power Tank TIG-8310 Digital Tire Inflator
on Amazon
One of the leading automobile device manufacturers is Power Tank. Over the years they have produced the very best automobile devices. One of the latest devices by the company is Power Tank TIG-8310 Digital Tire Inflator with Dual Head Chuck and 24" Whip
Power Tank TIG-8310 Digital Tire Inflator with Dual Head Chuck and 24" Whip comes with a lot of great features and it could be a huge mistake if we left it out in our list of the good tire inflator with gauge. It is very accurate and can measure pressures of 0.5 bars to 10.5 bars.
Pros:
- Comes with a 3-year warranty
- The inflator comes with a digital accurate gauge which is six times better than the normal analog gauge.
- Blue black light gauge allows you take reading in poor light setting or in the middle of the night.
- Easy to repair as its parts can be easily be dismantled.
- It comes with an automatic turn on and turns off feature
Cons:
- It use batteries which quite often need to be replaced.
- Some customers have complained about leakage issues.
The Best Cordless Tire Inflator
The Black & Decker ASI500 Cordless Air Station
on Amazon
Are you tired of getting yourself tangled up while filling up your tire? Then you should probably get a cordless tire inflator. Do not just get any cordless tire inflator but the best one in the market. After conducting a series of research we did finally pick the Black & Decker ASI500 Cordless Air Station as one of the best cordless tire inflators in the market.
Apart from inflating your car tire, it can be used to inflate a number of things including mattress, pool toys, rafts, balls among other things. It comes with a 12 V battery which can be fully charged within 4- 5 hours. It also comes with a digital gauge to allow for accurate measuring of pressure.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- It is highly portable and comes with a compact design of 6 x 10 x 10 inches
- It is very versatile and can be used on a number of materials
Cons:
- Short lasting battery
- Made of poor materials which can be easily be damaged.
- Produces an irritating sound while inflating a tire
Stanley AIRit 120
on Amazon
If you are looking for a portable and cordless tire inflator then you should try Stanley AIRit 120. It is impressive and it will not let you down. It comes with two chargers to allow to charge the inflator at home and even with your car’s outlet. One can easily control the pressure with the hand trigger. Also, comes with an automatic turn off feature which shuts off when the desired pressure is reached.
Pros:
- It is affordable
- It comes with two chargers allowing you to charge it at home or using your car power source
- Automatic cut off system
- Easy to use.
Cons:
- The battery does not last long
Best Tire Inflator With A Gauge
Slime 40026 Heavy Duty Tire Inflator
on Amazon
If you tired of going to the gas station to fill up your tire then you do need the Slime 40026 Heavy Duty Tire Inflator. It comes with a dual cylinder which is performs very well and in less than 2 minutes you can inflate your car tire and you are ready to go. Its 30 ft long air hose allows for easy and speedy tire inflation. Depending on your tire manufacturer you can easily set up your desired pressure with its integrated gauge. Its bright LED allows for accurate reading in low light settings.
Pros:
- It is affordable
- Bright LED allows for proper reading in low light settings
- It is highly portable
Cons:
- It is not convenient for heavy trucks
Super flow Air Compressor Tire Inflator
on Amazon
Do you own truck, SUV or RV? Then the Super flow Air Compressor Tire Inflator is the best choice for your inflation needs. It’s one of the very best and powerful tire inflator in the markets. Its 150 PSI allows for a 37-inch tire to be filled in less than 2 minutes. It also comes with a 24 ft. air hose allows to for ease inflation of all tires.
Pros:
- It is very versatile; it can be used on trucks, SUV or even RV
- Very powerful
- It is efficient can used to fill tires in less than 2 minutes
Cons:
- It is air hose is comparatively small, as compared to other tire inflators
BEST 12V Inflator
EPAuto 12V DC Auto Portable Air Compressor Pump
on Amazon
One of the worst moments is having a flat tire in the middle of the night and having tire inflator which has run out of battery. However, you no longer have to worry as most companies have introduced 12 V tire inflator which you can easily charge it up using your car 12V’s DC cigarette lighter.
After a series of research and testing, we did pick the EPA to 12V DC Auto Portable Air Compressor Pump, Preset Digital Tire Inflator by 100 PSI for Compact/Midsize Sedan SUV as one of the best 12V tire inflator. It is highly convenient and you can plug it into your cigarette lighter and you are ready to go. It is very versatile and can be used in cars, sedans, bike and mini SUVs. It comes with a luminous display unit which allows for easy reading of units. Its auto-switch allows for it to automatic shut off after reaching desired pressure.
Pros:
- It is highly portable only weighing 2.17 pounds
- Versatile
- Convenient as you can set it up using your car’s cigarette lighter
- Comes with an easy to ready display system
Cons:
- Not convenient for large trucks
Best 120V Air inflator
The Viair 00088 88P Portable Air Compressor
on Amazon
In a market filled with a lot of inflators, the Viair 00088 88P Portable Air Compressor is our favorite. It comes with impressive features which totally blow your mind. It 45-inch air hose allows you to easily inflate all of your tires. It also comes with a 12-inch power cord which you can fully charge it at home or using your 12-volt power outlet. It is lightweight making it very portable to carry around.
Pros:
- Highly efficient
- It is very portable
- It comes with a 12-inch power cord and 45-inch air hose allowing you to inflate your tires with ease
- LED indicator allowing you to measure accurately even in a dim light setting
Cons:
- Not convenient for commercial trucks as it only offers a maximum of 80 PSI
Best Digital Tire Inflator
AUTOWN Portable Digital Tire Inflator Gauge
on Amazon
Each new day comes with advancement in the field of technology. Gone are the days that you used to measure your car tire using metric system which you had to look closely so that you do not mess up. Nowadays the automobile industry is filled with a wide range of digital tire inflator. Picking the best digital tire inflator was not an easy task as we had to test more than 20 inflators and still, it was hard to make the final decision.
Our pick of the best digital tire inflator is the AUTOWN Portable Digital Tire Inflator Gauge. This versatile tire inflator comes with a 3-meter power code which you can charge it at home or use your 12 v car power source. It comes with an automatic switch off settings which allows you to have a peace of mind while filling up your tire. Its power compressor unit allows you to fill up your car tire in less than 3 minutes.
Pros:
- It is versatile
- Provides continuous air flow
- Comes with an automatic cut off setting
- The luminous display thus can be easily used at night
Cons:
- Some customers complain that it is hard to use
P.I. Auto Store Premium Tire Inflator
on Amazon
If you looking for the best digital tire inflators and you do not mind spending some few extra dollars then the P.I. car Store Premium Digital Tire Inflator is the best choice. The model comes with excellent features to give you excellent results. It is easy to use and In less than 3 minutes you can inflate your flat tire to 30 PSI.
Pros:
- It is versatile, it can be used to fill up car tires, bike tires, motorbike, RV and SUVs
- Comes with a superior pump to allow you to fill a flat tire in less than 3 minutes
- It is compact, this means it is easy to store and carry.
- Provides accurate reading
- Durable
Cons:
- We did not find any
What to consider while picking up the best tire inflator?
For some buying, the good tire inflator can sound like rocket science especially if you do not know where to start. After various discussions with our team of experts here are some very fundamental things that you should consider before buying the tire inflator.
- Accuracy
Any good driver knows that any safe driving starts with proper care of the tires. One major factor that all drivers consider is the tire pressure. Having a tire which has low pressure can be uneconomical while you also run the risk of damaging the tire. While also having a tire which has a high pressure can be considered risk as friction between the road and the tire can lead to air expansion in the tire leading to bursting of the tire, which can be very dangerous especially if you are driving at high speed.
So before buying the tire inflator always consider its accuracy. Having an accurate inflator will prevent you from being rush into the emergency room
- Auto Inflation and Cut Off system
Having a tire inflator which has an auto-inflation and cut off system will give you a piece of mind. All you need is to just set the required pressure in accordance to manufacturer instruction and let it allow air to go in. After reaching the preset setting the inflator will automatically cut off. This will greatly reduce the amount of time spent on inflating your car tires.
- Power Cable
Although most people do not take into consideration, before buying tire inflator you should check the power cable. You should ask if it can be charged using your 12V car power source or it needs to be only charged with a home power outlet. You never know when you need to take your tire inflator to pump in some air
- Battery
While tire inflator needs a power source for them to properly work. Some other tire inflator only needs to charge the battery and you are ready to go.
- Air Hose Code
Most tire inflators come with air hose code. Before purchasing an air inflator always ensures that the code is long ensured and also it’s durable. Depending on the model, a good tire inflator hose code should range from 5 feet to 15 feet long.
- Bright LED Display Lights
Having to fill up your tire can be difficult especially if you are using a tire inflator which has no LED display lights. It not only ensures that you get the proper reading but also protects from incoming cars. It will allow the incoming drivers to know that their someone in the area.
- Speed
Inflating your tire should not take a long time. While picking for the good tire inflator always ensure that it can work less than 5 minutes so that you can get back on the road.
- Portability
Have you ever got a flat tire in the middle of the night? At that moment, the first that comes to your mind is to call your AAA or if you are lucky enough to call your friend or family. Getting stuck in the middle of the night can really suck. However, buying a portable tire inflator can make avoid any dreadful nights of getting stuck in the middle of the night because of a flat tire. Although most models are lightweight ensure that it is compact and can fit in the trunk of your car. Also, ensure that it comes with a bag for easy transportation.
- Noise
Another critical aspect that you should take into consideration is the amount of noise production. Some models produce a high amount of noise which can be a nuisance to your ears. So before buying tire inflator ensure that the noise production levels are within the required limit or else you may have a difficult time while inflating your car tires.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do Tire Inflators work?
Tire inflators work by pumping the compressed air into the car tire. Most of the tire inflators come with a gauge which helps you to know if the desired pressure has been reached.
How to use a tire inflator at the gas station?
Having a flat tire can ruin your day. If you are having troubles or you don’t know how to inflate your car tire without assistance, these simple steps will greatly help you out.
- Step 1: Get yourself a Gauge
Always ensure that you have a gauge in your car. Invest in a good quality gauge to give you better and accurate reading. When you realize that your car tires are low, measure the exact pressure in your tires. You can note it down.
- Step 2; Go to the nearest gas station
Ensure that you get to a gas station near you so that you do not get stuck on the road because of a flat tire. After getting to a gas station ensure that you park your car near the inflator. Also, make sure that there is ample room for you to maneuver while filling up your tires.
- Step 3: Check your tire pressure
Do you remember before driving to the gas station you did check the pressure reading on your tires? If so, hope you noted down the pressure. So at the gas station, it is important to take the pressure again. Do not because of the friction of the tire and the road, the pressure will be slightly higher. Take the difference between your first reading and the recommended manufacturer pressure. While checking on the pressure ensures that you do not surpass the difference, so that your tires are not overinflated.
- Step 4: Replace the valve cap
After filling up your tire with the recommended pressure fill up close the valve. Then return the air hose to the original place that you found it. There you go, you are now ready to get back on the road.
How to use tire inflator with a gauge?
If you have never used a tire inflator with a gauge, you need not worry. These simple steps will help you be able to use the inflator with ease
- Step 1; Remove the cap on the tire valve
- Step 2; Take your tire inflator hose and place it on top of the valve. Ensure that it fits well
- Step 3; Turn on the inflator
- Step 4; Using the gauge ensure that you get the proper reading.
- Step 5; Close the valve with the cap. After getting the manufacturer’s recommended pressure, close the valve with cap.
Tire Inflator vs Air compressor
You have probably heard of tire inflator or air compressor. You have been wondering what the difference between the two is as they both serve the same purpose. Right? Yes, both of them have similar function but the only difference comes from the size, power and the amount of pressure the produce. So let’s look at the different features of tire inflator and air compressor
- Tire Inflator
Just from the name, you can probably guess that tire inflators are used to inflate your tires. tire inflators are a mini version of the air compressor. Tire inflators are mostly small in size and very portable. Some come with batteries while others can run on 12V power source just from your car. This means that you can use your cigarette lighter to power them up. Some of the tire inflators come with an additional feature which includes, flashlight, warning lights or USB signals
- Air Compressor
Air compressors are a big version of tire inflators. The can be found in a gas station or factories. They do run on alternating current AC directly from a wall outlet. Most of them work on either piston or rotary screw, thus create more pressure than ordinary tire inflators. Air compressor does not come with a battery and all you need is to connect it to an AC power source and you are good to go.
Tire Inflator vs Spare Tire Kit
Over the years, many car manufacturers are slowly replacing spare tire kit with tire inflator. One of the main reason for this is that tire inflator kite does not take up so much space. Tire inflator kite mainly consists of a portable air compressor with comes with air hose and sealant. Once you have a flat tire most cars we indicate and in some cars, you can drive up to 50 miles before you can repair it. The tire inflator kite works by injecting the sealant to the tire and all you do is turn on the tire inflator kite and it starts to inflate the tire to desirable pressure
Spare Tire Kit mainly consist of an extra tire, jack, and gears. They are slowly being replaced by tire inflator kit. As compared to inflator they require a lot of physical effort and also consumes a lot of time, as you will have to remove the flat tire and replace it with the spare tire. This can be dangerous especially if you have a flat tire on the freeway or in the middle of the night
Conclusion
We all want to reach our destination safely, so having a properly inflated tire will ensure that you are one step closer to safe travels. The sad reality is that people do underestimate the importance of having a well-inflated tire. Some people just inflate their tire just because it is low or just for the sake of it. It for this reason that we have compiled a list of the best tire inflators which will not allow you to inflate your tire but also ensure that your tire gets the right pressure
Thank you. Insightful piece of writing